Black History Month Luncheon set for February 26 — Hart House

Junia Alsinawi, Deputy News Editor

This Thursday, from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm, U of T’s 24th annual Black History Month (BHM) luncheon will take place in the Great Hall at Hart House. The luncheon, organized and funded by the Division of University Advancement with support from Hart House, is the culminating event of a month of BHM activities across campus.

The event has become an important venue for recognizing Black leaders across many fields, and each year, the organizing committee selects one deserving individual to receive the University of Toronto Advancement Achievement Award. 

This year’s recipient is U of T Chancellor Wes Hall, a businessman and entrepreneur well known for his role on Dragons’ Den. Hall is also the founder of the BlackNorth initiative, which works to combat anti-Black racism and focuses largely on improving representation for Black Canadians in leadership and executive positions.

Skule frosh fly flag over Western — London, Ontario

Devin Botar, Varsity Staff

On February 7, under the cover of darkness, a group of U of T engineering 2T9s raised a banner outside Western University’s Spencer Engineering Building, showing the words “OLD SCHOOL NEW SKULE” written in blue and gold paint.

“They will pay,” promised one Western engineer back in October, after the Brute Force Committee — a secret society of U of T engineers — placed a wooden train atop the Spencer roof. 

Four months on, and Skule has struck again, yet no retaliation from London has materialized, calling into question the credibility of Western’s threats.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on misconduct suspicions — Thames Valley

Junia Alsinawi, Deputy News Editor

The former Prince Andrew was arrested on February 19 by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police have not specified what the misconduct refers to, but the arrest follows their review of claims that the former prince shared sensitive government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as UK trade envoy. 

The former prince has not publicly commented on his arrest and the allegations of misconduct, but has previously denied all Epstein-related allegations against him. Though he has since been released from police custody, the former prince remains under investigation, and police searched his former home the day after his arrest. 

King Charles III, Mountbatten-Windsor’s older brother, released a statement on February 19, writing, “[the authorities] have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”

Seven TPS officers charged in major corruption investigation — York, Ontario

Nguyen Bao Han Tran, Varsity Contributor

On February 5, York Regional Police announced that seven Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers and one retired officer were arrested and charged in connection with a major corruption and organized crime investigation.

York Regional Police say the months-long probe uncovered allegations including conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, drug trafficking, firearms offences, and breach of trust. Investigators allege some officers shared confidential police information and accepted bribes linked to criminal networks connected to the tow-truck industry. TPS and its board have requested an independent review by Ontario’s inspector general to examine systemic issues and restore public trust.